After a brief wait, we boarded the train at 07.00. There were quite a few other people on the car deck and the journey passed quickly as we laughed and joked with the other passengers. Getting off the train, we joined the motorway and headed for Belgium. Beth suggested we should get some cigars for Harry and gin for Mabel. The booze shops in Calais and tobacco shops in Belgium are unreal, apart from being cheap, the selection is huge.
Unsure of the limits going into Switzerland, we threw caution to the wind. Loading cases of whisky, brandy, Gin and Vodka into the already packed boot meant reorganising the whole thing, just as it started to rain. Reloading our cases and booze, we managed to squeeze 3 boxes of cigars into the packed boot. Slamming the boot shut I started the engine, as the suspension rose, I was pleased to note that the self- levelling suspension worked perfectly.
Apart from some traffic around Brussels we made excellent time as the big Citroen ate up the miles. Stopping for Diesel in Luxemburg, made me realise how expensive most things are in the UK. The Citroen costs around Β£85 to fill up at home, less than half that in Luxemburg, even the coffee was nicer. Finding Beth, I pulled her away away from the large, well -stocked shop, as we still had quite a long drive to the border at Bern. Calling Harry and Mabel, we said we would be another couple of hours or so. A disinterested looking border guard eyed the car and our passports as he waved us through.
We had been lucky with the weather, crossing into Switzerland, mother nature reminded us that it was only the 1st of march. The light snow was not really a problem but did make the roads a little slick, looking at the snow piled up on the side, there had been a lot of snow recently. It was dusk by the time we exited the highway onto the smaller roads, that wound their way down to the lake. The snow seemed to get heavier as we drove down the hill into the small village, feeling the car slip a few times, I was glad we didn't have far to go.
As the big Citroen slipped and slid up the slight hill to Harry and Mabel's driveway, snow chains, made a lot of sense. Going faster than I realised, I turned right into Harry's drive, spinning the car and ending up backwards in the adjacent field. Checking that Beth was ok, I tried to go forwards and then backwards, the car didn't move. Wondering if I could dig us out, I left the engine running and tried to open the door. The door opened less than an inch before hitting the deep snow. Opening the window, I could see we had slid into a deep drift, realising my face was freezing I ducked back in the car and shut the window.
Looking at our phones, we had little or no signal, I shuddered as I realised my big coat was in the boot. The dashboard temperature gauge showed -4, as I contemplated climbing out of the window. Walking the few hundred yards to the house with only a shirt and small jacket for protection was going to be a problem. Struggling into Beth's jacket I pulled mine over it, Beth found her bobble hat in the glovebox. Looking in the rear-view mirror I looked ridiculous, Beth's hat was pink and blue, it barely fitted my head. As I started to climb out of the window, I heard the clatter of an elderly, large diesel engine, then saw a large single headlight heading towards us.
Getting back in the car I put the headlights on full beam and waved frantically out of the window. As the headlight got closer, I saw that it was the old tractor that Harry used to move the boats about. Stopping in front of us Harry jumped from the cab and yelled at me to stay in the car. Pulling a cable from the back of the tractor, Harry waded into the deep snow, attached the end to the car and gently pulled us back onto the road. Going back to the main road, I turned round and followed the elderly tractor to the house. Opening the kitchen door, we were hit by a blast of hot air, Mabel looked relieved to see us.
"Thank god you are ok, I just happened to look out from the bedroom window, as you came tearing into the lane. I saw the car spin, but lost sight of you as you went into the field."
At that moment, Harry came in, he looked like a snowman. Dumping a can into the rubbish bin, he grinned at me.
"Remind me to get a newer tractor in the summer, that old bitch took a full can of easy start ether to get her going."
"Thanks Harry," Beth said and ran to him, hugging the old man tightly, his grin told me her heartfelt thanks were appreciated.
"That's ok sweetie, will have to teach that mad man of a brother of yours how to drive in the snow." Harry said, a massive grin on his face as he winked at me.
"I'm sorry, Harry, have I damaged the car," I mumbled.
"No lad, nothing to be sorry for, car looks ok, it's not the 1st time she's been in the ditch. Anyway, when we come back from the Tractor shop, we will get you a 4x4."
After a superb dinner, harry and I chatted as we smoked a cigar. His plans for the Marina and second yard had moved on significantly. He had completed the purchase of his friends Marina and full planning permission had been granted for the works here and next door, on our new home.
"They forecast this weather to break in the next few day, hopefully in the next couple of weeks we should be ice and snow free. I spoke to the construction company yesterday, they are going to put 6 teams on the job. two teams will tear this old pile down. The second team will start on our new home, the other 2 will start on yours. They say in about 4 weeks, your home will be ready, and the site will be clear in 6 weeks. It means we have 42 boats to move about 5 miles to the new yard on the other side of the lake, the 1st holiday makers are booked for 2nd week in April. We can all move into the large house at the new Marina, its only 15 minutes by boat, 45 minutes by road."
Shaking hands, I agreed to meet him in the workshop at 07.00 in the morning. Beth and I were getting ready for bed when Mabel knocked on our bedroom door. While Harry and I had been talking, Beth had invited Mabel to tell us all about the baby, due date etc. Mabel was now 14 weeks pregnant, grinning broadly she told us that her morning sickness seemed to have stopped.